Category: WP2 Adapted breeds

SOLID SCIENCE: Contrasting genotypes of dairy cows can use feed energy with similar efficiencies for milk production, but they require more energy for maintenance of basal activities when managed under low than high input systems. This result needs to be implemented in practice to improve production efficiency and reduce environmental footprint.

Marco Horn, a young livestock scientist from Austria, did his Ph.D. as part of the SOLID project which gave him a unique opportunity to become part of an international network of more experienced livestock scientists.

By Ulla Skovsbøl

A number of young scientists have benefitted from being involved in research in organic and low input farming systems within the SOLID project. One of them is Marco Horn – a young livestock scientist from Austria who did his Ph.D. at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Austria as part of the SOLID project. At the annual SOLID meeting in Granada in May 2015, he agreed to give an interview about his SOLID experience:

A study conducted by breeding experts within the SOLID project has identified a number of genotypes as specificly suited for organic and low-input dairy systems. In the study, these genotypes are compared with conventional breeds.

On-farm research is a new and efficient tool, which may be helpful to assess good cultivation practices with farmers. As part of SOLID WP1, a number of successful trials were carried out in Finland – demonstrating the advantages of participatory research for both farmers and researchers.

At the 65th Annual Meeting of theEuropean Federation of Animal Science in Copenhagen, researchers from SOLID received the “Wageningen Academic Publishers Award” for a contribution from SOLID Work Package 2.